7-person rowing team crosses Indian Ocean

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - The skipper of a seven-man rowing crew that appears likely to set an Indian Ocean speed record says his team is looking forward to landing on the island nation of the Seychelles after 57 days on the water.

Skipper Leven Brown said Thursday in an interview by satellite phone from his 44-foot ocean rowing boat that his team outmaneuvered hurricane-force winds, successfully evacuated a member of the team who burned himself while cooking, and hit a blue whale with their boat.

The team covered 4,578 miles, starting from Geraldton, Australia in June. The team will reach Mahe, Seychelles later Thursday.

The Ocean Rowing Society will confirm the landfall to record the apparent record-breaking time. The international crew is raising money for several charities including Save The Elephants.